The ‘Fathers and Sons’ project was a chance for me to apply my photographic approach to a tightly focussed theme that concerned me personally - and one that clearly lent itself to an interesting exhibition.
The sheer energy and physicality of males just had to be good for photography.
Nothing really prepared me, however, for the enthusiastic response this project received from participants and their families, nor for what I think the portraits might reveal when viewed as a collection.
As well as celebrating what Canberra offers as a place to live (I have also shot this theme in other locations), the collection suggests that for many males, love and affection can be seen in what we actually DO when we spend time together.
Often this is very physical and focussed around a favourite activity. Talk is often incidental and centred around the requirements of the activity. But at least communication and talking does occur as a positive outcome of this time together.
For most sons time spent with fathers is precious and can have an elevated emotional mark in their/our lives – remembering we were once sons too. Some fathers may be a slightly scary and distant character in families and often difficult to access.
Maybe parenting does not come so easily to some fathers, many groping for positive role-models themselves. But all fathers are conscious of their responsibility however well we are equipped to deal with it.
For many fathers this project was an opportunity simply to have their time spent with their son/s recorded while for others it was a chance to do something out of the ordinary.
For all it was a chance for fathers and sons (and myself) to think about their relationship and negotiate how they wanted their time recorded.
With luck these relationships become positive and enduring. Certainly there now exists a record of the event and something on our walls to reflect upon and remind us of that time forever - a time that slips away too quickly!
I hope most sincerely these portrait images provide happy memories for all participants and help freeze a time and a moment forever.
